Housing Headlines

TRURO --- In an opinion piece, state Sen. Julian Cyr says the proposed Cloverleaf affordable housing project is an opportunity to provide opportunities for people of color and lambastes those who have tried to stop it. "The arguments for halting the project are troubling," Cyr wrote. "If they had any basis, I’d consider their merits. But they don’t, so I’ll call them what they are: procedural tactics designed to perpetuate racial and class inequities."

BOSTON --- The Pine Street Inn has leased the Best Western Motel at 891 Massachusetts Ave. in the South End and will use it as a homeless shelters. Known as "Roundhouse Suites" because of its round shape, PIne Street moved 180 shelter guests to the hotel from a Suffolk University dorm, which the nonprofit had been using since March to reduce overcrowding at its shelters.

MILTON --- The Town of Milton has established a $100,000 emergency rental assistance fund to assists tenants impacted by COVID-19. The town will operate the program with Metro Housing Boston, the region's largest administrator of housing assistance.

In the wake of the Trump Administration's decision to remove enhanced fair housing regulations enacted in 2015, Rachel Heller of the Citizens' Housing and Planning Association has five suggestions on how local citizens can take steps to undo systemic racism and make their communities more equitable.

FRAMINGHAM --- Saying it will slow the city's economic growth, Mayor Yvonne Spicer urged city councilors to to reconsider its recent 10-1 vote to place a nine-month moratorium on the approval of new multifamily housing in the city. “This new moratorium will once again send a clear signal that Framingham is closed to meaningful economic development,” said Spicer. According to the city council, a total of 1,419 new apartment units have been approved by the city since 2016, with 876 of those in Framingham’s central business district.

WBUR and El Planeta team up to tell the story of tenants and landlords during the eviction moratorium, with tenants unable to pay and small landlords needing the rent. One thing both sides can agree on: a massive infusion of cash is needed to avert a crisis. (Note: Since this story was written, Gov. Charlie Baker has extended the state's eviction moratorium 60 days to Oct. 17, 2020).